Norton Rose Fulbright announces new EMEA transport heads

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has appointed partners Christine Ezcutari and Duncan Batchelor as co-heads of the firm’s Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA) transport group. Christine and Duncan will be responsible for promoting the firm’s transport strategy across the EMEA region, working alongside Harry Theochari, global head of transport.

Christine Ezcutari is head of the Paris banking team, with a focus on shipping and rail financing. She has particular experience in structured financings, in the form of complex multi-jurisdictional financing, tax structures and export credit financings, and is involved in a number of transactions involving infrastructure, equipment, trains and ships. She was named a Knight of the National Order of Merit for her career as a shipping and rail financing lawyer by the French Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy.

Christine, whose clients include global financial institutions, lessors, banks, ship owners and rail operators, comments:

“I am delighted to have been appointed to this role, which will allow me to focus on the growth of our practice internationally. There are tremendous opportunities for our clients across the aviation, port, shipping and rail industries and I look forward to working with global colleagues during what is an exciting and challenging time for the transport sector.”

Duncan Batchelor is an asset finance lawyer based in London. He is global head of the firm's aviation group and has particular experience of aircraft finance, ship finance and cross-border leasing and structured finance transactions. He is featured in The International Who's Who of Aviation Lawyers and the Guide to the World's Leading Aviation Lawyers as an outstanding practitioner in the field.

Duncan, who regularly acts for airlines, banks, export-credit agencies, arrangers, lessors and investors on a range of matters, comments:

“The global transport sector is going through an interesting period of change, and I look forward to working with my colleagues across Europe, Middle East and Asia to help our aviation, shipping and rail clients be best-placed to adapt to the challenges and opportunities they face in the years ahead.”

Commenting on the appointments, Harry Theochari said:

“I would like to congratulate Christine and Duncan on their new roles and look forward to continuing to work with them as we drive our global transport practice. Their international experience, commitment to quality, and inclusive approach will only strengthen our EMEA and wider global teams.”